The National Basketball Association’s extremely lucrative television broadcasting rights contract is reportedly about to undergo a major shake-up. Over the last year, with the TNT broadcasting contract expiring at the end of the season, the NBA has negotiated with parties interested in broadcasting the league’s games.
With the 2024 NBA Playoffs in full swing, there has been no announcement yet from the league and/or its partners informing fans where games will be broadcast next season. According to at least one insider, the television deal is done and waiting to be announced. But why? It’s all about the money, baby.
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Recent history has shown, that these landmark deals are big for these major broadcasting networks. Three months ago, Netflix paid TKO Group Holdings upwards of 5 billion dollars for the broadcasting rights to Monday Night Raw. Touted as “the longest-running episodic TV show” in the United States,” that streak will be over at the end of 2024. I tried to type the figure it out, but my PC refused. How rude.
Much like ESPN has the exclusive rights to broadcast MLB games at the beginning of the week on “Sunday Night Baseball,” TNT has been a league partner showcasing nationwide basketball games on television since 2008.
Their hit pre-game and post-game show, Inside the NBA, received mass praise from fans and pundits alike. That show, featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson, and Charles Barkley, will likely go into limbo unless a new deal is made with the newest rights holders.
Where Will Fans Find Games Next Year?
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According to the most recent Bill Simmons podcast, NBC has stepped up to the free throw line and hypothetically nailed the game-winning bucket on a massive new TV rights deal. Simmons did not mince words when he said it was over for Warner Bros./TNT:
“One of the funniest things ever is that we’re all pretending that the TV deal wasn’t done like a week and a half ago,” Simmons said. “I think it’s done. I think Warner [Bros. Discover] already lost it. And I don’t know why we’re waiting until after the playoffs, maybe that’s how they have to do it. But it’s a wrap. NBC’s getting it. I’m just telling you”
Given that NBC already has a fully functional subscription service with Peacock TV, it would not be surprising to learn that the network giant will likely place some of its games on that network to drive subscriptions. Otherwise, NBC Sports will likely receive the highly-touted featured matchups typically reserved for National broadcasts, such as the New York Knicks–Boston Celtics rivalry.
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It would make sense that Warner Bros. Discovery would not want this information shared publicly during the final season of its NBA Playoffs coverage. I can imagine executives feeling that the news would overshadow the critical games occurring that will determine the Larry O’Brien Trophy winner.
We must wait and see how long the NBA takes to spill the beans. Or maybe NBC will say something before the league has a chance to. According to Mr. Simmons, the network is probably dying to tell its shareholders the good news about the new, juicy multi-billion dollar contract that was just closed.
About The Author
Christopher Babos is a genuine sports and entertainment journalist with diverse writing, broadcasting, and digital media credentials. With a varied professional background that includes an M.B.A. in Sports Management from Tiffin University, Chris can speak with authority on the subjects that he covers. Additional insightful sports articles can be located here.
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